Process of making starch and cattle-food.



No. 664,257. Patented 000. I8, I900. w T. GAUNT.

PROCESS OF MAKING STABCH AND CATTLE FOOD. (Application med Npv: 19,1895.)

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No. 664,257. Patented Dec. l8, I900. T. GAUNT.

PROCESS OF MAKING 'STARCH AND CATTLE FOOD.

(Application filed Nov. 19, 1895.)

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UNITED STATES ATENT Fries.

THOMAS GAUNT, OF PEORIA,-ILLINOIS, ASSIGNOR OF TWO-THIRDS To WILLIAMHAMLIN AND HARRY HAMLIN, OF BUFFALO, NEW YORK.

PROCESS OF MAKING STARCH AND CATTLE-FOOD.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 664,257, dated December18, 1900.

Application filed November 19, 1895.

To (ZZZ whom it may concern/.-

Be it known that I, THOMAS GAUNT, of Peoria, Illinois, (formerly ofBuffalo, New York,) have invented certain new and useful Improvements inTreating Corn and Grain and a new and useful Feed Produced Thereby, ofwhich the following is a description, reference being had to theaccompanying diagram, illustrating the process.

The improved process is especially applicable to the treatment of cornfor the separation of starch, glucose, and other derivatives of starchand of feed for cattle. In treating corn for this purpose one verycommon and successful process is to first steep the corn for aboutthirty hours in water or other steep medium at a temperature ofapproximately 130 and thereafter grind the steeped corn with water,separate the hulls from the starch particles, and then separate thestarch by settling from the gluten-water upon starchtables. The glutenmay then be mixed with the ground hulls to form feed. In the process ofsteeping almost all the soluble sub stances, including sugar, somegluten, and all the aromatic principles of the corn, are washed from thecorn. By the improved process which forms the subject-matter of thepresent application thesesubstances are all recovered and mixed with thefeed, giving it certain qualities which render it a great deal morenutritious than the usual feed from which these substances have beenlost. The improved feed is richer and gives better results when fed tolive stock, being more. nutritious. A quart of the improved feed willreplace a larger quantity of other feeds. Owing to its aromatic andagreeable qualities the cattle eat it eagerly and thrive upon it. By theuse of this feed a larger quantity and improved quality of milk andother dairy products are obtainable.

Briefly stated,the improved process is as follows: The steep-water afterbeing drawn from the corn is treated with sulfuric acid,and after beingpartially concentrated in a vacuum-pan is then passed through afilter-press, by which cakes of insoluble gluten are obtained. Thefilter liquor is then further concentrated and again filtered,extracting more gluten. The

liquor from the second filters is then further Serial No. 569,386. (Nospecimens.)

concentrated tothe desired amount and is mixed with the gluten cakesproduced by the filters, and finally mixed with the feed as it comesfrom the starch-separating process. The gluten-water from thestarch-tables is also concentrated and added to the feed, and the feedis then thoroughly stirred and dried ready for use. The improved feed istherefore composed of a mixture of four separate products-to wit., theground hulls and feed after the starch and gluten have been washed fromit, the gluten which runs from the starchtables, the cakes of solublegluten filtered from the steep-water, and the concentrated liquor whichpasses through the filters.

In the accompanying drawing I have indicated,diagrammatically,mycomplete process in its preferred form, the two sheets of drawingconstituting but a single diagram or figure broken at the point K, wherethe steep liquor passes from the steep to the mixing-tub.

I will now proceed to describe the various steps and subprocessesnecessary to the successful production of my improved feed.

After the starch has been deposited from the gluten-water upon thestarch-tables the gluten-water is readily concentrated by settling indeep settlers. The heavy gluten-water flows out at the bottom of thesettler and the waste water is drawn off from above. Preferably theconcentrated gluten-water as obtained from one set of settlers is runthrough a second set to obtain further concentration and is then readyto be run into the feed-tank or otherwise mixed with the ground hulls.

The ground hulls and adherent matter, which constitute the main body ofthe improved feed, are obtained in the well-known manner by grinding thesteeped corn and then washing the starch and gluten from the hulls andadherent matter upon screens. The ground hulls and adherent materialpass from the ends of the shaker-screens and after repeated washing tofree the starch are conveyed to a feed-tank. Preferably in treating thecorn the germs are separated from the bulls and do not, therefore, forma constituent of the finished feed; but so far as the present process isconcerned they may or may not be so separated.

.is found in the extraction of the substances from the steep-water. Theprice at which it is necessary to sell the feed precludes theevaporation of great quantities of water. Moreover, after the corn hasbeen steeped it still contains in its moist condition a large quantityof the steep-water, which is ultimately washed away with thegluten-water from the starch-tables and escapes with the waste from thegluten-settlers. I have to a large extent recovered this absorbedsteepwater by a process which I term leaching, and by the same process Iam enabled to obtain a greater concentration of the steep-water as it isfinally taken from the steeps and treated for the extraction of thematerials which it contains. This leaching process is indicateddiagrammatically so far as it is possible to illustrate itdiagrammatically. In Sheet 1 of the accompanying drawing, for the sakeof illustration, I have assumed that the capacity of the steep issufficient to contain a quantity of corn which will be covered by eightthousand gallons of the liquid without causing the corn to rise abovethe surface of the liquid as it swells and absorbs it. I have found thatthe corn after being steeped for about thirty hours in a solution ofsulfurous acid of about three-tenths per cent. strength and of thequantity indicated absorbs about one-half of the solution, and thereforein drawing off the liquor produced by steeping only about one-half ofthe solu ble materials in the corn can be drawn off. By the method whichI term leaching the corn is steeped two or three times in steepwater ofgreater purity at each steep, so that a large amount of the liquor ofthe' first steeping, absorbed and held by the corn, is washed from it.If the water as drawn otf after each steep be collected andconcentrated, a great amount of evaporation is necessary; but by myprocess the same water which is used for the last steeping, and istherefore comparatively dilute, is used on other corn which has not beenwashed or leached so much. It consequently collects an additional amountof the solubles held in the moistened corn and is drawn out at a greaterdensity than that at which it was introduced. This steep-water may inturn be used, together with a certain quantity of sulfurous-acid water,as the original steep solution for fresh corn, and when drawn from thiscorn after one steeping it has a greatly-increased density, owing to itshaving taken up a large quantity of the soluble substances.

In the diagrammatic illustration of the leaching process each quantityof corn is steeped three successive times, each successive time withwater containing less of the soluble substances than that used in theprevious steeping.

Let it be first supposed that the process is being begun for the firsttime and that therefore there are only at hand the dry corn, water, andsulfurous acid. Sulfurous acid and water in proportions to givethree-tenths per cent. strength is run onto the corn and the cornsteeped in eight thousand gallons of this acid water for thirty hours.The steep liquor thereby produced is drawn off; but only four thousandgallons, or about one-half, can be drawn off, the rest being absorbed bythe corn. The steep liquor so drawn off is found to contain solublegluten, sugar, and other soluble corn substances and is of about 4Baumc' density. This liquor is taken to the concentrators and treated aswill be hereinafter described. The steeped corn is then steeped a secondtime in four thousand gallons of water for about five hours or until ithas mixed freely with the four thousand gallons of steep-Water absorbedin the moist corn. When drawn off, this liquor from the second steepingis found to be of about half the strength-say 2 Baumand therefore theamount still absorbed in the corn is of approximately the same strength.This liqon r is saved in a tank which I will term firststeep-supplytank, and when mixed with an equal amount of sulfurous-acid water atsixtenths per cent. strength constitutes the supply of steep liquor forthe first steeping. The corn, which has now been steeped twice, asdescribed, is further leached or washed for live hours by four thousandgallons more water. After this third steeping the steep liquor is foundto be of the strength of 1 Baum, and this steep liquor is saved and runto a tank which I will term the second-steepsupply tank, from which thesteep liquor is drawn for the second steeping of each successivequantity of corn treated. The second quantity of corn treated receivesits first and second supplies of steepwater no longer free from solublesubstances, but containingacertain amount of them, and thereforesomewhat less of the soluble substances can be extracted from the cornby the use of such steep-water. Eventually as the process goes on thecycle becomes established at such a strength that it goes oncontinuously,the corn being steeped first with water containing acertain amount of the soluble substances, then with water containingsomewhat less, and finally with pure water. It is clear also that thefirst steep-water, containing already a considerable amount of thesoluble substances, will be drawn out after the first steeping at aconsiderably greater strength than would otherwise be the case and thattherefore less evaporation is necessary to concentrate it to the desiredamount. It is also clear that since the corn is finally washed in purewater a comparatively small amount of the soluble substances is left inthe corn, for whatever is obtained in the liquor as it goes to theconcentrators is of course extracted and removed from the corn.

The accompanying diagram illustrates as well as I can illustrate itgraphically the continuous process after the cycle has been establishedand the permanent strengh of the successive steeping solutions reached.

It must not be understood that the densities or the quantities statedare strictly accurate, for they are only intended to be illustrative andapproximate.

In the diagram, A is intended to illustrate a tank for acid solution; B,a tank for solution from second steeping; G, tank for solution for firststeeping; D, tank for solution from third steeping; E, a water-supplytank; F, the steep-tank; G, the dry-corn chute; H, steam-heatingconnection; J, pump delivering from tank F; K, delivery-pipe toconcentrating system; L, a conveyer for steeped corn; M, a mixing-tank;N, a source of acidsupply; 0, a vacuum-pan; P, a neutralizingtank; S, afilter-press; R, exhaust from vacuum-pans; U, chute for filter-cake; T,a mixing-tank; V, a chute delivering ground hulls with gluten-Water; X,conveyer delivering to the driers, and the letters marked prime, second,&c., indicate second and third sets of apparatus similar to thatsimilarly lettered.

The dry corn is first steeped for thirty hours in eight thousand gallonsof steep solution which is preferably of three-tenths per cent.strengthof sulfurous acid and of a density of about 2 Baum, solublegluten, sugar, and other substances dissolved from previous steepings.These eight thousand gallons of 2 Baum are made up by adding fourthousand gallons at 4 Baum from the first-steepsupply tank and fourthousand gallons of sulfurous acid at six-tenths per cent. strength.After steeping for thirty hours four thousand gallons are drawn off andfound to be of density approximately 6 Baum, it having added 4 to itsstrength by dissolving the soluble substances contained in the corn. Thecorn therefore still contains and has absorbed four thousand gallons;but the solution so held in the corn is of a strength somewhat in excessof the strength of the quantity drawn off, or at least 6 Baum. This cornis then steeped for five hours in four thousand gallons steep liquor of2 Baum density, which is received from the second-steep-supply tank.This liquor, circulating through the corn, mingles with the fourthousand gallons absorbed in the corn and becomes of a densityapproximately the mean of the two1. e., 4 Baum. This liquor is drawn offand forms, as will be seen from the diagram, the source of supply forthe first-steep-supply tank. The corn is then steeped for a third timein four thousand gallons of Water that is free from any of thedissolvedsubstances, and this mingling with the four thousand gallons at 4 Baumcontained and held by absorption in the corn acquires the mean of thetwo strengths, or approximately 2 Baum. When drawn out,

this steep liquor at 2 Baum density forms the source of supply for thesecond-steep-supply tank. After this a fresh supply of dry corn maybeintroduced and treated as before.

The steep-corn, after the three successive steepings which constitute myleaching process, is ready to be ground and treated for the extractionof starch, gluten, feed, and other substances.

In order that the proper temperature and a thorough circulation may bekept up in the process of steeping, I employ a steam-siphon, whichcontinually circulates the steep liquor through the corn and facilitatesthe more thorough mingling of the liquor held by absorption in the moistcorn and the steep liquor of lesser density in which the corn isimmersed. By this method of leaching or successive steepings and byusing the steep-water as it is drawn .off over and-over with increasingstrength I am enabled to extract about seventyfive per cent. of all thesolubles in the grain and at the same time run the liquor from the firststeeping to the concentrators at a density greatly in excess of whatwould be obtainable by a single steeping in pure acid solution. Thesteep-water is delivered at 6 Baum as against 4 Baum by the old process,so that to obtain one thousand gallons of concentrated liquor at 30 BaumWould necessitate in the one case an evaporation of but fourthousandgallons of water out of five thousand, instead of six thousand fivehun-. dred gallons out of seven thousand five hundred by thesingle-steep process, effecting a great saving in cost. At the same timeabout fifty per cent. more of the aromatic substances is obtainable.

From the steeping and leaching process the steep liquor at somewhat lessthan 6 Bauin is delivered into a receiving-tank, Where it is mixed withsulfuric acid in the proportions of thirty pounds sulfuric acid to fourthousand gallons of steep liquor.

Heretofore it has not, so far as I am aware, been commercially feasibleto concentrate the steep liquor, because in the process of concentratingin a vacuum-pan a voluminous precipitate of albuminous substances isproduced, which forms a thick coating on the heating-coils and on theinterior of the pan. Another objection is that the albuminous substancesprevent the proper evolution and escape of the steam, so that the wholemass boils up and tends to go over into the condenser. I havediscovered, however, that by acidulating the liquor with a non-volatilemineral acid, such as sulfuric acid, the albuininous substances are heldlonger in solution. Moreover, the sulfuric acid acting upon thesulfites, due to the action of the sulfurous acid used in steeping thecorn, probably transposes them into sulfates and sulfurous-acid gasisgiven off. This evolution of gas in the mass of the liquor causes theboiling to be far freer than would otherwise be the case.

IIS

After the sulfuric acid has been added, thirty pounds to four thousandgallons of steep liquor, as stated, giving a decidedly acid liquor, theliquor is run to a vacuumpan and concentrated to about 10 density. Up tothis point the albuminous substances give no trouble in the vacuum-pan.At 10 Baum the liquor is partially neutralized by adding lime-milk. Thelime unites with the free sulfuric acid, forming gypsum and wa-' ter.The neutralization of the acid, together with the mechanical effect ofthe precipitated gypsum, causes the deposit of a heavy precipitate ofalbuminoids, which is readily extracted by means of filter-presses,giving a cake of soluble gluten and other substances and freeing thesteep liquor that passes through the filter presses from a large amountof albuminous substances. The liquor is then run into a secondvacuum-pan and concentrated to about 20 Baum. To facilitate thecirculation of the liquid, mechanical circulators are employed, andthese, together with the filtering of the liquid, enable me toconcentrate to 20 Baum Without difficulty. \Vhen the density of 20 Baumhas been reached, the neutralizing and filtering processes are repeated,giving a second precipitate in the form of acake from the filtercontaining a large portion of the remaining gluten and other albuminoussubstances. The liquor passing from the second filter-presses is againconcentrated in a vacuum-pan with mechanical circulation to about 30 to35 Baume', and it is then finally and completely neutralized by addingmore lime. In this final neutralization the remaining sulfuric acidunites with the lime to form gypsum, and the strongly-acid phosphates,with, perhaps, small quantities of phosphoric acid, are neutralized bythe formation of phosphate of lime and water. After the finalconcentration and neutralization the liquor contains the sugar and moresoluble substances still in solution and the gypsum and other insolubleand slightly-soluble substances in suspension. To this dense liquor thefilter-cake containing the precipitates extracted by the successivefiltering processes is added and broken and mixed by suitable mechanicalstirring appliances. In this concentrated form, partly solution andpartly precipitates,the products of the steeping process are obtained ina condition suitable for mixing with the feed. The feed already mixedwith the concentrated gluten-water from the starch-tables receives theadmixture of the steep-waterproducts, and is then thoroughly stirred tomix its various constitu- After mixing the feed is dried and ents.

finally delivered to the curing-room ready for the market.

While I have described the details of the preferred form of my processin all its essential steps, it must not be understood that such detailsare subject to no variation whatever. It is clear also that the leachingprocess may be omitted; but in such case very much less of the solublesubstances will be extracted from the corn. So, also, the steeping andleaching process may be employed independent-ly of the process to whichthe steep liquor is afterward subjected; but it is clear that by thesteeping and leaching process as combined in the complete processgreater amount of the saccharine, aromatic, and soluble substances willbe saved and eventually mixed with the feed, giving a pleasanterfragrance and flavor and increasing its desirability as a feed forstock. So, also, it is possible that other chemicals may be found toeffect the same purposes as the sulfuric acid and lime used in theconcentrating process and therefore constitute equivalents to thesubstances described and claimed. It will be seen that the sulfuric acidis completely neutralized eventually and to some extent at least sulfateof lime or other mineral salt is formed. The presence of this mineralsalt to such a slight extent is, I believe, an advantage. I

am not yet certain how far other mineral salts,

maybe used in place of the sulfate of lime, and will not thereforeattemptto enumerate any equivalents.

What I claim and desire to secure by these Letters Patent of the UnitedStates, together with all such variations as may be made by meremechanical skill and with only the limitations as expressed or by lawimplied in view of the related art, is as follows:

In the process of simultaneously obtaining starch and cattle-food fromcereals, the extraction of the soluble constituents from the cereals bysubjecting the cereals to successive steepings in liquids of decreasingdensity, utilizing the liquor from the second and succeeding steepingsrespectively, for the first and succeeding steepings of other quantitiesof said cereals with the addition of fresh liquid at the first steepingthereof, and thereby both increasing the amount of solubles extractedand the density of the liquor from the first steeping, substantially asset forth.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand, at Peoria, Illinois,this 12th day of November, A. D. 1895.

THOMAS GAUNT.

In presence of THOMAS J. HARTY, CARRIE M. GILL.

